Poor Sanitation at Yellamma Hill’s Sacred Joganbhavi Pond Angers Devotees

Belagavi: The sacred Joganbhavi pond at Sri Renuka Yellamma Temple on Yellamma Hill is in a deplorable condition, with stagnant, discoloured water, foul smell and garbage causing concern among devotees during the ongoing Navratri festival.
Source https://www.tarunbharat.com/the-height-of-unhygienic-conditions-on-yellamma-hill/ :

Bathing in the pond before seeking the goddess’s darshan is a centuries-old tradition. However, the pond is now covered with algae, while discarded clothes, sarees, towels, plastic bags and floral waste are scattered around its steps. An oily layer on the water has further worsened the situation.

Devotees fear that bathing in the contaminated water could lead to skin problems, eye infections and other health issues. The poor condition has particularly inconvenienced women devotees who follow the traditional bathing ritual.

“Devotees visit the hill with great faith, but the unhygienic conditions are disappointing. Despite the temple receiving substantial revenue, why is proper sanitation not being maintained?” questioned a devotee from Belagavi.

Thousands of devotees visit the temple during the nine days of Navratri, raising questions about the lack of adequate sanitation arrangements. Devotees have urged the temple administration and temple committee to drain and thoroughly clean the pond, ensure regular water replacement and prohibit the disposal of clothes, plastic and floral waste in the area.

They have called for immediate action to restore the pond’s cleanliness and protect the health and religious sentiments of devotees.

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